It finally happened. For the first time in over 2,000 days, the silence in Ann Arbor was deafening for all the right reasons if you're wearing scarlet and gray. The ohio state michigan game score ended up being a lopsided 27-9 in favor of the Buckeyes, but honestly, the numbers on the scoreboard barely tell the whole story of how cathartic this was for Ryan Day.
Going into the Big House on November 29, 2025, there was this massive cloud hanging over Columbus. Four straight losses to your rival will do that to a fan base. You've got people calling for coaches' heads, questioning the "softness" of the program, and wondering if the rivalry had permanently shifted toward Michigan's brand of smash-mouth football. Then, Julian Sayin happened.
The Game That Changed the Narrative
The 2025 edition of "The Game" felt different from the jump. It wasn't the shootout many expected. Instead, it was a gritty, defensive masterclass that saw Ohio State beat Michigan at their own game: physicality.
Michigan actually grabbed an early 6-0 lead thanks to two Dominic Zvada field goals, and for a second, you could feel the collective "here we go again" from every Buckeye fan watching. But the momentum shifted when Julian Sayin—the freshman phenom who has lived up to every bit of the hype—found Jeremiah Smith for a 35-yard touchdown on a gutsy fourth-down call in the second quarter. That play basically flipped the switch.
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Key Stats from the 27-9 Thriller
If you look at the box score, the dominance is everywhere. Ohio State's defense, led by Jim Knowles and even getting some sideline energy from Matt Patricia, held Michigan to just 163 total yards. That is the lowest offensive output for the Wolverines in the entire 2025 season.
- Time of Possession: Ohio State held the ball for a staggering 40:01.
- Total Yards: OSU outgained Michigan 419 to 163.
- Third Down Efficiency: The Buckeyes were clinical, while Michigan's Bryce Underwood struggled to find any rhythm against a secondary that played like they were personal.
Why This Ohio State Michigan Game Score Matters So Much
The 27-9 result wasn't just another win. It was a 2,191-day exorcism. Since 2019, Michigan had owned this rivalry, using a dominant offensive line and a "keep away" strategy to frustrate Ohio State. This time, the roles reversed.
Bo Jackson (not that one, but he played like it) chewed up the clock with 117 rushing yards. He wasn't necessarily breaking 80-yarders, but he was getting 5, 6, and 7 yards a pop, effectively "bullying the bully," as some commentators put it. Michigan’s defense, which had been so stout all year, just looked gassed by the middle of the fourth quarter.
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Julian Sayin ended the day with three touchdown passes—one to Smith, one to Brandon Inniss, and a massive 50-yarder to Carnell Tate that felt like the final nail in the coffin.
Breaking Down the Scoring
The first half was a bit of a field goal fest. After Michigan's early 6-0 lead, Ohio State clawed back to a 10-9 lead by halftime. It felt tense. It felt like one of those games where the first person to blink loses.
Michigan blinked.
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The second half was all Buckeyes. They outscored the Wolverines 17-0 in the final two frames. A Jayden Fielding field goal made it 13-9, followed by the Inniss touchdown, and finally the Tate explosion. By the time Davison Igbinosun intercepted Bryce Underwood late in the fourth, the Michigan fans were already heading for the exits.
Looking Ahead: The Big Ten Championship and Beyond
With this win, Ohio State moved to 12-0 and secured a date with No. 2 Indiana in the Big Ten Championship game. It’s a wild world where Indiana is the final boss for the conference title, but that’s the 2025 season for you.
Michigan, meanwhile, dropped to 9-3. While they’re still a high-level team, the loss marks the end of an era of dominance over their rivals to the south. Sherrone Moore has plenty to fix, particularly on an offense that seemed completely out of ideas once the run game was neutralized.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the fallout of this game, here is what you should keep an eye on:
- The Julian Sayin Factor: He’s no longer just a "promising recruit." He is the definitive leader of this offense. Watch how his confidence translates into the College Football Playoff.
- Transfer Portal Moves: Ohio State is already aggressive in the 2026 cycle, recently landing several SEC defenders to bolster an already elite unit.
- Recruiting Ripple Effects: Winning "The Game" in dominant fashion usually leads to a late-December recruiting surge. Expect a few "silent commits" to go public soon.
The rivalry is officially back to being a back-and-forth affair. Ohio State has the momentum, the quarterback, and finally, the score they've been waiting years to see.